Vatican City: The Vatican’s media outlets have released a new documentary titled “Leone a Roma” that looks back at the many years Pope Leo XIV spent in Rome before becoming head of the Catholic Church. The documentary was produced to mark the first anniversary of his election to the papacy on May 8, 2025.
The film follows the journey of the future Pope from his arrival in Rome in 1981 as a young Augustinian from Chicago to his later leadership roles in the Vatican. Through personal memories and archive material, the documentary presents a warm and human portrait of the man who would later become the first American born Pope in history.
“Leone a Roma,” which means “Leo in Rome,” gathers testimonies from priests, religious brothers, friends, families, and young people who knew Robert Francis Prevost during different stages of his life in the Italian capital. The documentary explores not only his official duties but also his everyday relationships, prayer life, and pastoral service.
The film begins with stories from those who welcomed the young Augustinian deacon to the International College of Saint Monica after he arrived from the United States in the early 1980s. Former classmates and fellow religious recall moments of study, community life, prayer, and simple daily experiences shared in Rome.
The documentary also revisits the years when Prevost served as Prior General of the Augustinian Order from 2001 to 2013. During that period, he travelled widely around the world, visited missions, and guided the international religious community through important years of growth and change. Former collaborators describe him as calm, approachable, and deeply committed to listening to people.
Another important part of the documentary focuses on his spiritual and pastoral connections with several places in Italy. These include catechism activities in Cesano, prayer visits to the shrine of Saint Rita in Cascia, the tomb of Saint Augustine in Pavia, and the sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano. Through these experiences, the film highlights his strong spiritual roots and close relationship with ordinary believers.
The documentary also reflects on the final stage of his Roman ministry before the conclave that elected him Pope. In 2023, Pope Francis appointed him Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, one of the most influential offices in the Roman Curia. Pope Francis later elevated him to the rank of cardinal, placing him among the Church leaders who would eventually elect the next Pope.
According to Vatican Media, the documentary aims to show Pope Leo XIV not only as a Church leader but also as a friend, pastor, and missionary whose long years in Rome helped shape his vision for the universal Church.
The production was created by Vatican Media journalists Felipe Herrera Espaliat, Salvatore Cernuzio, and Tiziana Campisi, with editing by Jaime Vizcaíno Haro and Stefano Anella.
“Leone a Roma” is the third documentary produced by Vatican Media about Pope Leo XIV. Earlier productions included “León de Perú,” released in 2025 and focused on his missionary work in Peru, and “Leo from Chicago,” released later that year about his American background and early life.
The new documentary will be broadcast through official Vatican media channels during the anniversary celebrations of Pope Leo XIV’s Petrine ministry. Vatican Media also announced that the documentary will be available to media organisations upon request.